Humanitarianism, War, and Politics

Solferino to Syria and Beyond

Peter J. Hoffman and Thomas G. Weiss - Foreword by Jan Egeland

What is humanitarianism? This authoritative book provides a comprehensive analysis of the original idea and its evolution, exploring its triangulation with war and politics. Peter J. Hoffman and Thomas G. Weiss trace the origins of humanitarianism, its social movement, and the institutions (international humanitarian law) and organizations (providers of assistance and protection) that comprise it. They consider the international humanitarian system’s ability to regulate the conduct of war, to improve the wellbeing of its victims, and to prosecute war criminals. Probing the profound changes in the culture and capacities that underpin the sector and alter the meaning of humanitarianism, they assess the reinventions that constitute “revolutions in humanitarian affairs.”

The book begins with traditions and perspectives—ranging from classic international relations approaches to “Critical Humanitarian Studies” —and reviews seminal wartime emergencies and the creation and development of humanitarian agencies in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The authors then examine the rise of “new humanitarianisms” after the Cold War’s end and contemporary cases after 9/11. The authors continue by unpacking the most recent “revolutions”—the International Criminal Court and the “Responsibility to Protect”—as well as such core challenges as displacement camps, infectious diseases, eco-refugees, and marketization. They conclude by evaluating the contemporary system and the prospects for further transformations, identifying scholarly puzzles and the acute operational problems faced by practitioners.« lessmore »

Peter J. Hoffman is Julien J. Studley Faculty Fellow and assistant professor in The Graduate Program in International Affairs, The New School. Thomas G. Weiss is Presidential Professor of Political Science at The Graduate Center, The City University of New York.

Introduction

Humanitarian Cosmology and Mythology

Chapter 1

Humanitarian Culture, Traditions, and Theories

Chapter 2

Humanitarian Genesis and Gravity: Solferino to Biafra and African Famine

Chapter 3

The New Wars and New Humanitarianisms of the 1990s: Northern Iraq, Somalia, Rwanda, and the Balkans

Chapter 4

Humanitarianism and Security: The Responsibility to Protect

Chapter 5

Humanitarianism Adjudicated: The International Criminal Court

Chapter 6

Humanitarianism in the Post-9/11 World: Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria

The Study and Practice of Humanitarianism: Making Sense and Finding Meaning in Saving People

Hoffman and Weiss do a masterful job of analyzing unfolding changes in bedrock principles that produce the shifting sands of politics seen in ideas, actions, and results... Humanitarianism, War, and Politics is absolutely essential reading for both academics and humanitarian practitioners— Jan Egeland, Secretary-General, Norwegian Refugee Council, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

The early decades of the 21st century have witnessed a profound crisis in humanitarianism, marked not only by the shrinking space within which humanitarian actors now work, but also by declining funding and political support. In Humanitarianism, War and Politics, Hoffman and Weiss give us both an interpretive 'toolkit' and historically-informed analysis to explain why and how humanitarianism is under siege. They illuminate the various forms of power that underpin humanitarian action, and how the inescapably political process of allocating rights, relief and refuge has been affected by the changing nature of armed conflict. The book is essential reading for those seeking to understand the roots of humanitarianism's current malaise, as well as for those endeavoring to reinvigorate humanitarianism, and enhance its impact, in the years ahead.— Jennifer Welsh, Professor and Chair in International Relations, European University Institute and former Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect

Humanitarianism has a complicated history. It is a project that refuses to be a bystander to a world that creates and accepts so much needless suffering. While its motives might be high-minded, the action itself is filled with moral compromises, failures, and human and political limits. This is a difficult story to tell, requiring not cynicism but sobriety along with elements of hope. Hoffman and Weiss's Humanitarianism, War, and Politics captures this history and its ambiguities. Highs and lows. Accomplishments and failures. And, ultimately, having to make tough and rotten choices.— Michael Barnett, University Professor, George Washington University

Theoretically comprehensive but grounded in historical and contemporary case studies

Includes informative maps, photos, and charts

Valuable for courses in international security, international relations and world politics, peace studies and conflict resolution, international organization, human rights, and humanitarian studies

Humanitarianism, War, and Politics

Solferino to Syria and Beyond

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Paperback

eBook

Summary

Summary

What is humanitarianism? This authoritative book provides a comprehensive analysis of the original idea and its evolution, exploring its triangulation with war and politics. Peter J. Hoffman and Thomas G. Weiss trace the origins of humanitarianism, its social movement, and the institutions (international humanitarian law) and organizations (providers of assistance and protection) that comprise it. They consider the international humanitarian system’s ability to regulate the conduct of war, to improve the wellbeing of its victims, and to prosecute war criminals. Probing the profound changes in the culture and capacities that underpin the sector and alter the meaning of humanitarianism, they assess the reinventions that constitute “revolutions in humanitarian affairs.”

The book begins with traditions and perspectives—ranging from classic international relations approaches to “Critical Humanitarian Studies” —and reviews seminal wartime emergencies and the creation and development of humanitarian agencies in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The authors then examine the rise of “new humanitarianisms” after the Cold War’s end and contemporary cases after 9/11. The authors continue by unpacking the most recent “revolutions”—the International Criminal Court and the “Responsibility to Protect”—as well as such core challenges as displacement camps, infectious diseases, eco-refugees, and marketization. They conclude by evaluating the contemporary system and the prospects for further transformations, identifying scholarly puzzles and the acute operational problems faced by practitioners.

Peter J. Hoffman is Julien J. Studley Faculty Fellow and assistant professor in The Graduate Program in International Affairs, The New School. Thomas G. Weiss is Presidential Professor of Political Science at The Graduate Center, The City University of New York.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction

Humanitarian Cosmology and Mythology

Chapter 1

Humanitarian Culture, Traditions, and Theories

Chapter 2

Humanitarian Genesis and Gravity: Solferino to Biafra and African Famine

Chapter 3

The New Wars and New Humanitarianisms of the 1990s: Northern Iraq, Somalia, Rwanda, and the Balkans

Chapter 4

Humanitarianism and Security: The Responsibility to Protect

Chapter 5

Humanitarianism Adjudicated: The International Criminal Court

Chapter 6

Humanitarianism in the Post-9/11 World: Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria

The Study and Practice of Humanitarianism: Making Sense and Finding Meaning in Saving People

Reviews

Reviews

Hoffman and Weiss do a masterful job of analyzing unfolding changes in bedrock principles that produce the shifting sands of politics seen in ideas, actions, and results... Humanitarianism, War, and Politics is absolutely essential reading for both academics and humanitarian practitioners— Jan Egeland, Secretary-General, Norwegian Refugee Council, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

The early decades of the 21st century have witnessed a profound crisis in humanitarianism, marked not only by the shrinking space within which humanitarian actors now work, but also by declining funding and political support. In Humanitarianism, War and Politics, Hoffman and Weiss give us both an interpretive 'toolkit' and historically-informed analysis to explain why and how humanitarianism is under siege. They illuminate the various forms of power that underpin humanitarian action, and how the inescapably political process of allocating rights, relief and refuge has been affected by the changing nature of armed conflict. The book is essential reading for those seeking to understand the roots of humanitarianism's current malaise, as well as for those endeavoring to reinvigorate humanitarianism, and enhance its impact, in the years ahead.— Jennifer Welsh, Professor and Chair in International Relations, European University Institute and former Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect

Humanitarianism has a complicated history. It is a project that refuses to be a bystander to a world that creates and accepts so much needless suffering. While its motives might be high-minded, the action itself is filled with moral compromises, failures, and human and political limits. This is a difficult story to tell, requiring not cynicism but sobriety along with elements of hope. Hoffman and Weiss's Humanitarianism, War, and Politics captures this history and its ambiguities. Highs and lows. Accomplishments and failures. And, ultimately, having to make tough and rotten choices.— Michael Barnett, University Professor, George Washington University

Features

Features

Theoretically comprehensive but grounded in historical and contemporary case studies

Includes informative maps, photos, and charts

Valuable for courses in international security, international relations and world politics, peace studies and conflict resolution, international organization, human rights, and humanitarian studies